Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com says the Giants officially announced on Tuesday that they have resigned Juan Uribe to a one-year contract that is reportedly worth $3.25 million.
Uribe batted .289 with 16 homers, 55 RBI’s and 26 doubles in 122 games for the Giants. From Aug. 18th until the end of the season, Uribe batted .310 with 11 homers in 42 games.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m sure most Giants fans are happy to hear that this deal is now official. Uribe was the hottest Giants hitter down the stretch. He brought much more than his versatility. He was a big part of keeping the Giants loose in the dugout. Him and Pablo Sandoval were often seen messing around, and making other players laugh. Uribe can hold down any spot in the infield in case someone is injured or just not pulling their weight. Bringing Uribe back was a very big signing for the Giants to keep this offseason going in the right direction.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
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Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says via twitter. Catcher Miguel Olivo signs with the Rockies, which could push Yorvit Torrealba in the Giants direction.
King of Cali thoughts: I know this is good news to a lot of Giants fans. I was always a fan of Torrealba and never knew why the Giants even let him go. He’s a fun guy to watch play and he does play hard. He doesn’t have great career stats, but he’s not going to hurt you when he’s in the lineup. He would be a great person to mentor and share time with Buster Posey.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Buster Posey, Free Agents, King of Cali, Miguel Olivo, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors, Yorvit Torrealba
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com gives us his predictions on some of the top remaining free agents. He does mention that the Braves and Giants could see Johnny Damon as a strong fit. The Giants ranked 11th in the NL last season in on-base percentage out of the lead-off spot. Damon batted second for the Yankees, but his OBP the past six seasons is .366. He hasn’t forgotten how to hit first. With that said Rosenthal predicts Damon will end up with the Braves.
King of Cali thoughts: I really hope Damon does end up somewhere else. I just don’t see him as a good fit in San Francisco. I think his homers were up too because he was at the new Yankees stadium. I see this signing as a typical Sabean signing. A player who is a Big-Name-Player and is on the decline.
Rosenthal did mention other players, but did not link any of them to land in San Francisco. Adrian Beltre is still out there and it’s reported that he’s close to choosing his next team. It’s been reported that the Red Sox are not a front runner as once reported. Which means the A’s are probably the front runners. The Giants can be a mystery team that still has a chance to land Beltre.
Another player still available is Miguel Tejada. I would have to say this would be a good signing, but it would be a typical Sabean move as well. Tejada is going to turn 36 in May. He’s still a good hitter. I can see him helping the Giants. As long as they can sign him for a decent amount. He’s not a guy to get in a bidding war over, or over pay as well.
I have been taking a look at possible free agents out there, and have seen what a lot of writers are saying their possible homes for 2010 will be. It’s not looking good for Giants fans if we go by that, cause most of them don’t have the Giants signing anyone in the top of the free agent class that’s left. With that said there is no need to worry, because some of these people have been off about other free agents that have already signed as well.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adrian Beltre, Free Agents, Giants, Johnny Damon, King of Cali, Miguel Tejada, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
King of Cali thoughts: I wouldn’t mind an Ausmus signing for the Giants. There is still 10 catchers available as free agents. The Giants can land one if they really want to, but I hope they don’t over pay. If nothing is a good fit for the Giants. I’m okay with them just handing the position to Buster Posey, and let him get some on the job training.
Here is some rumors that were not posted over the Christmas and New Years break.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle said (via twitter). Phillies will not re-sign Chan Ho Park. He could be a good fit for the Howry role, and his name has come up in the Giants front office.
Mychael Urban of Comcast Sports Net Bay Area said (via twitter). Bobby Howry’s replacement shouldn’t be hard to find. How’s Kiko Calero grab Giants fans? Just heard first whisper on it.
King of Cali thoughts: Howry didn’t have a great year here in San Francisco, so both of these guys would be an improvement and would help solidify our bullpen.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Bob Howry, Brad Ausmus, Buster Posey, Chan Ho Park, Free Agents, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
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Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says unless something crazy happens soon, in 2010 the Giants will have the same great pitching, the same fitful hitting and the same prayers that somehow this gangly group lifts the Giants close to the 95-victory mark.
Kawakami says owner Bill Neukom seems to have no urgency to push the payroll beyond $100 million, and frankly, Sabean’s history gives Neukom no reason to approve a mega-deal. December has been the time that Sabean would sign players for big money. Kawakami says fans probably should cheer when Sabean doesn’t sign anyone in December.
Basically, for 2010, the Giants need Lincecum, Cain & Co. to pitch at least as well as they did last season, which might not be possible, and, even if it happens, still might not get them to 95 victories.
King of Cali thoughts: Kawakami loves to tell it the way he see it. Which I’m sure a lot of Giants fans out there love about him. The Giants haven’t done anything yet to make Giants fans feel like we are trying to win the division. With the players we currently have signed for next season. We still do need our pitchers to go out and pitch gems every night. I really do believe Sabean isn’t done with adding a bat or two to our offense for next season. He knows that he got the free pass last year, but we can’t go into next season still saying Lincecum, Cain and pray for rain!
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Bill Neukom, Brian Sabean, Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, Matt Cain, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors, Tim Lincecum
Jon Heyman of SI.com said via twitter that Juan Uribe has agreed to a deal to go back to the San Francisco Giants. The signing is just pending a physical.
King of Cali thoughts: Now the ball is rolling for the Giants. First DeRosa and now Uribe. This Uribe signing is a big one to me. No he’s not a new player coming in, but he really was a force for the Giants last year. Uribe had the team having fun in the dugout and was showing his power at the plate. Uribe will be the utility player again for the Giants. The good thing about re-signing Uribe is if Edgar Renteria isn’t pulling his weight again this year. I’m sure the Bochy would have no problem turning Renteria into the utility guy and giving Uribe the everyday shortstop position. Let’s hope Sabean is still seeking another bat, so we can still add some punch to this lineup.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Edgar Renteria, Free Agents, Giants, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News said via twitter that after signing Mark DeRosa, Giants GM Brian Sabean says he’s focused on getting another bat. He has multiple offers on the table.
Baggarly also said via twitter that Giants manager Bruce Bochy isn’t sure where DeRosa or Pablo Sandoval will play/hit yet. Will be contingent on other moves to add a bat.
King of Cali thoughts: Now this is good news to hear. This is Sabean letting Giants fans know that they are not just going to settle on DeRosa. They still are looking for another bat to get some thump back in this lineup. Which makes the DeRosa signing good, because he’s a good compliment player.
~King of Cali
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Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Giants have had interest in third baseman Adrian Beltre. Sabean has always liked Beltre. It’s not immediately clear how the signings of DeRosa and Juan Uribe would impact their pursuit of Beltre or an outfielder.
King of Cali thoughts: If Sabean goes forward and signs Beltre. Then he’s on the same page that I’m on. We can still add Beltre or Tejada, and get this offense moving in the right direction. One of these two guys can help add some pop to a powerless Giants lineup.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adrian Beltre, Brian Sabean, Free Agents, Giants SF Giants Blog, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, MLB Hotstove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Chris Haft of MLB.com says the Giants are expected to announce a two year agreement with Mark DeRosa. Giants Spokesman Jim Moorehead said DeRosa flew to San Francisco on Monday and passed a physical examination.
It’s believed that the contract is worth $12 million. DeRosa is coming off wrist surgery, but is expected to be ready by spring training. Haft says that DeRosa’s signing almost certainly ends the Giants search for a first baseman, because he ans Sandoval can combine to handle the infield corners.
King of Cali thoughts: The most appealing thing about this signing is that he’s so versatile. Yes he’s 34 and will be 35 before the season starts. Yes he’s a typical Sabean signing. The good thing is that he can really help this team. He has a career .275 AVG. and did manage to hit 23 homers last year. He’s not known for his power. Which is what the Giants still need to find somewhere during this offseason still. Let’s hope Sabean is just starting to improve the offense. DeRosa is a nice compliment hitter to help the Giants lineup, but he’s not the big bat that the Giants are still looking for.
Mark DeRosa
Career Statistics
Games Played By Position
First Base 23
Second Base 304
Shortstop 139
Third Base 311
Left Field 59
Right Field 160
12 Career Games as Designated Hitter
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Free Agents, Giants, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, MLB Hotstove, NL West, San Francisco Giants Baseball, SF Giants Baseball Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
Andrew Baggarly of San Jose Mercury news writes on his blog some of the main news points of the Mark DeRosa conference call. DeRosa doesn’t care where he plays as long as he’s in the lineup everyday. Pablo Sandoval’s position is still in limbo, because the Giants are still looking to add another bat.
Brian Sabean remains focused on adding another hitter: “it’s a chess game at this point. We’re engaged in a lot of possibilities. We’ve still got some offers on the table.” Strides have been made in bringing back Juan Uribe. There is a possibility he could be the everyday third baseman.
Matt Holliday doesn’t seem like a fit for the Giants. His contract demands are too high for the Giants. Baggarly says other sources say the Giants haven’t re-engaged Scott Boras on Adrian Beltre, either.
Buster Posey is a perfectly fine option to start the season if free agent catchers continue to demand multiple years at high figures.
DeRosa said he came up as an infielder, which is where he feels more involved in the flow of the game, but he doesn’t care where he plays. He has always enjoyed playing in San Francisco and the Giants showed the greatest interest in him. “I was just tired of being a lot of teams plan B,” DeRosa said.
King of Cali thoughts: I’m sure most of the Giants fans that keep it real to themselves knew the Giants wouldn’t be a real contender to land Bay or Holliday. The Giants can still put a good team together for 2010. Now that Sabean has said the Giants are still looking to add a bat.
The Giants still had a very good season last year, and that was with a very bad offense. This year we will have Freddy Sanchez for a full season, and now DeRosa as well. That’s already two positive things to look at for next season. I’m not saying that’s enough, but at least we are moving in the right direction. Let’s see what else Sabean has cooking.
~King of Cali
Technorati Tags: Adrian Beltre, Brian Sabean, Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez, Free Agents, Giants, Juan Uribe, King of Cali, Mark DeRosa, Matt Holliday, MLB Hot Stove, NL West, Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants Baseball, Scott Boras, SF Giants Blog, SF Giants Rumors, SF Giants Rumors
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